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Paenibacillus terrae NK3-4 is a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium. In this study, the effects of NK3-4 on rice growth and gene transcription were determined. The results indicated that a seed soaking treatment and a pre-germination seed treatment using NK3-4 promoted rice growth, especially spraying rice seedlings with NK3-4 increased the root number and root length by 34.2% and 34.1%, respectively. Moreover, NK3-4 induced the differential transcription of genes annotated with gene ontology (GO) terms; the number of up-regulated genes was 4.38-times higher than the number of down-regulated genes. The NK3-4 treatment induced the differential transcription of genes in 1794 GO functional groups, with 1531 functional groups containing up-regulated genes. Specific growth-related genes up-regulated by NK3-4 are involved in biological processes, including responses to auxin, hormone biosynthesis, cellular component biogenesis, root system development, and other functions. Furthermore, stress resistance-related genes were up-regulated, some of which encode WRKYs, NPK1-related protein kinase, NPR1-like 4, CaM-like proteins, MYBs, ERFs, TIFYs, NACs, EL5s, PR1s, PR2, PR8, PODs, and PAD4. Considered together, these findings imply that NK3-4 may promote plant growth and enhance stress resistance by regulating gene expression, making it a potentially useful microbe for regulating rice growth and stress resistance. Key words: Paenibacillus terrae, growth-promoting rhizobacteria, stress resistance, gene transcription, rice, Introduction Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) positively affect plants in diverse ways. For example, they promote plant growth, increase crop yield and quality, and provide protection against biotic and abiotic stresses [...]

Over 200 different serogroups of Vibrio cholerae based on O-polysaccharide specificity have been described worldwide, including the two most important serogroups, O1 and O139. Non-O1/non-O139 V. cholerae serogroups generally do not produce the cholera-causing toxin but do sporadically cause gastroenteritis and extra-intestinal infections. Recently, however, bloodstream infections caused by non-O1/non-O139 V. cholerae are being increasingly reported, and these infections are associated with high mortality in immunocompromised hosts. We describe a case of non-O1/non-O139 V. cholerae bacteremia in a patient with autoimmune pancreatitis and stenosis of the intra- and extrahepatic bile ducts. The clinical manifestations of bacteremia were fever and mild digestive symptoms. The blood cultures showed V. cholerae, which was identified as a non-O1, non-O139 serogroup by slide agglutination tests and PCR. The bloodstream infection of the patient was likely caused by the consumption of contaminated seafood at a banquet. The patient recovered after the administration of a third-generation cephalosporin. Non-O1/non-O139 V. cholerae infection presents with or without gastrointestinal manifestations; close attention should be paid to the possibility of disseminated non-O1/non-O139 V. cholerae infection in high-risk patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paenibacillus terrae NK3-4 is a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium that may be useful for controlling plant diseases. We conducted a genomic analysis and identified the genes mediating antimicrobial functions. Additionally, an extracellular antifungal protein component was isolated and identified. The draft genome sequence was assembled into 54 contigs, with 5 458 568 bp and a G+C content of 47%. Moreover, 4 690 015 bp encoded 5090 proteins, 7 rRNAs, and 54 tRNAs. Forty-four genes involved in antimicrobial functions were detected. They mainly encode 19 non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs); one polyketide synthase/NRPSs hybrid enzyme; four Zn-dependent metalloproteases; three antilisterial bacteriocin subtilosin biosynthesis proteins (AlbA); four serine proteases; five pectate lyases; three beta-glucanases; and four 1,4-beta-xylanases. These include four novel NRPSs that have not been found in any species of Paenibacillus. Furthermore, five proteins exhibiting antifungal activity were identified from the antifungal extracellular protein component based on MS/MS and the strain NK3-4 predicted protein library. On the basis of these features, we propose that strain NK3-4 represents a promising biocontrol agent for protecting plant from diseases. The draft genome sequence described herein may provide the genetic basis for the characterization of the molecular mechanisms underlying the biocontrol functions. It may also facilitate the development of rational strategies for improving the strain. Key words: Paenibacillus terrae, genome, antiomicrobial protein, biocontrol. Le Paenibacillus terrae NK3-4 est une rhizobacterie qui stimule la croissance des plantes et qui pourrait aider a diminuer les maladies. Les auteurs ont realise une analyse genomique et identifie des gènes conferant des fonctions antimicrobiennes. De plus, une composante proteique extracellulaire et antifongique a ete isolee et identifiee. L'ebauche d'un genome de reference a ete assemblee sous forme de 54 contigs totalisant 5 458 568 pb et une teneur en G+C de 47 %. De plus, 4 690 015 pb codaient pour 5090 proteines, 7 ARNr et 54 ARNt. Quarante-quatre gènes impliques dans des fonctions antimicrobiennes ont ete detectes. Ceux-ci codaient principalement pour 19 peptides synthetases non-ribosomiques (NRPS), une enzyme hybride polycetide synthase/NRPS, quatre metalloproteases dependantes du Zn, trois proteines impliquees dans la synthèse de bacteriocines anti-Listeria (AlbA), quatre proteases de type serine, cinq pectate lyases, trois bêta-glucanases et quatre 1,4-bêta-xylanases. Ceux-ci comprennent quatre NRPS inedits qui n'avaient encore ete rapportes chez aucune espèce de Paenibacillus.De plus, cinq proteines presentant une activite antifongique ont ete identifiees au sein de la fraction proteique extracellulaire au moyen de MS/MS et de la librairie de proteines predites pour la souche NK3-4. Sur la base de ces proprietes, les auteurs proposent que la souche NK3-4 constitue un agent de bio-contrôle prometteur pour proteger les plantes contre les maladies. L'ebauche du genome decrite dans ce travail pourrait fournir une assise genetique pour la caracterisation des mecanismes moleculaires impliques dans le bio-contrôle. Elle pourrait egalement faciliter le developpement de strategies rationnelles pour ameliorer la souche. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles : Paenibacillus terrae, genome, proteine antimicrobienne, bio-contrôle., Many microorganisms in the genus Paenibacillus activate soil nutrients, thereby promoting plant growth and controlling diseases, suggesting these species are potentially useful for the production of agriculturally important crops (Seldin [...]

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) expressing the Foxp3 transcription factor are indispensable for the maintenance of immune system homeostasis. Tregs may lose Foxp3 expression or be reprogrammed into cells that produce proinflammatory cytokines, for example, Th1-like Tregs, Th2-like Tregs, Th17-like Tregs, and Tfh-like Tregs. Accordingly, selective therapeutic molecules that manipulate Treg lineage stability and/or functional activity might have the potential to improve aberrant immune responses in human disorders. In particular, the transcription factor Helios has emerged as an important marker and modulator of Tregs. Therefore, the current review focuses on recent findings on the expression, function, and mechanisms of Helios, as well as the patterns of Foxp3+ Tregs coexpressing Helios in various human disorders, in order to explore the potential of Helios for the improvement of many immune-related diseases. The studies were selected from PubMed using the library of the Nanjing Medical University in this review. The findings of the included studies indicate that Helios expression stabilizes the phenotype and function of Foxp3+ Tregs in certain inflammatory environments. Further, Tregs coexpressing Helios and Foxp3 were identified as a specific phenotype of stronger suppressor immune cells in both humans and animal models. Importantly, there is ample evidence that Helios-expressing Foxp3+ Tregs are relevant to various human disorders, including connective tissue diseases, infectious diseases, solid organ transplantation-related immunity, and cancer. Thus, Helios+Foxp3+CD4+ Tregs could be a valuable target in human diseases, and their potential should be explored further in the clinical setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]